Dataflux expression returns no values

[HeidiDT]

Hi All

I have a VERY basic question to ask, I am sure I am missing something completely but for the life of me I can't see what.

I need to create a macro variable with the current datetime in a specific format. I am using an expression node, but when I preview the expression node, there is no value in the field.

Here is my code (I added some test variables, and all of these are empty when I preview the node):

Pre-processing:

string CurrDateTime
date test1
string test2

Expression:

CurrDateTime=formatdate(today(),"YYYYMMDD_hhmmss")
test1 = today()
test2="This is a test string"
varset ("Inp_CurrDateTime", CurrDateTime)

If anyone can tell me what obvious step I am missing, I would be very grateful.

Thanks!